Baltimore Nonprofit Faces Funding Challenges Amid City Oversight

In East Baltimore, the F.A.C.E. (Facing All Challenges Every Day) Organization is preparing to transform a historic building into a residence for 40 men recently released from prison. This initiative, led by nonprofit director Marlo Hargrove, aims to provide essential support to ex-offenders. However, the organization has encountered significant hurdles in securing necessary funding from the city.

For the past 23 years, Hargrove has submitted applications for financial assistance to the city, yet these requests have consistently met with denial. “We reached out to MONSE (the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement). We reached out to Baltimore City Hall, and as we reached out it was like, ‘You’re doing a great job,’ but then you see that big ol’ word… ‘unfortunately,’” Hargrove expressed, reflecting on the organization’s ongoing struggles.

A recent investigation by FOX45 uncovered that several large nonprofits receiving city funding are not in compliance with state requirements. Over the last three years, the city has allocated $26 million to 23 nonprofits that have been classified as delinquent by the state for failing to renew necessary registrations or submit required financial reports.

Funding Disparities Raise Questions

During a radio discussion, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott defended the city’s funding decisions, emphasizing the importance of compliance with grant requirements. “Not following their paperwork is important, but the other part for me is when they get these grants from organizations and people… are they meeting the requirements of those grants? That to me is more important,” he stated.

For compliant organizations like F.A.C.E., the situation is particularly disheartening. The group is currently $100,000 short of the funding needed to open its new facility, leaving Hargrove and his team puzzled about the apparent discrepancy in funding priorities. “We understand, but we don’t understand. What are we doing right, but what are we doing wrong?” Hargrove questioned.

As the city navigates these complex funding dynamics, the fate of F.A.C.E. and similar organizations hangs in the balance. The ability to secure funding is crucial not only for their operations but also for the individuals they strive to support. In a landscape where compliance is inconsistently enforced, the question remains: how can organizations dedicated to community service secure the resources they need to thrive?

For more information or to provide a news tip, contact Jeff Abell at [email protected] and follow him on X at @JeffAbellFOX45.